Michelle
Johnson (Practical
Nursing) has been appointed by Gov. Jennifer Granholm to serve as
an LPN educator representative on the Michigan Board of Nursing.
Johnson applied for the position with support from the Michigan
Nurses Association (MNA).

"It
always helps to have the backing of a professional organization,"
she said. "Of course, they also benefit because now they have
a connection to the board and can keep track of what’s going on
at the state level related to nursing education and the profession.

"My
goal is to make sure that things are kept in proper perspective.
With the national shortage, we’re seeing a lot of patch-up programs
being developed to help fill the void, but the concern is that it
may be at the expense of quality. Consumers deserve to know that
they are in the care of highly qualified nurses.”

Johnson
has been an active member of the MNA since she joined the profession
in 1983. She later spent six years splitting time between her nursing
duties at Marquette General and adjunct teaching responsibilities
at Northern before she was hired for a faculty term appointment
five years ago. Johnson’s main responsibilities involve the clinical
aspects of the program.

“I’m
still learning and I think this appointment will help me grow professionally
in the area of education,” Johnson said. “It will also give me a
better grasp of what direction things are going, so I may be able
to contribute in some way to Northern continuing to offer a top-notch
nursing program.”

Johnson’s
four-year appointment requires senate approval. She will travel
to Lansing
six times per year for meetings and also serve on a side committee.

The
Michigan Public Health Code empowers the State Board of Nursing
to establish qualifications for nurse licensure; establish standards
for education and approve nurse education programs; develop and
implement criteria for assurance of continued competency; and take
disciplinary action against licensees when the health, safety, and
welfare of the public has been adversely affected.